name: using-orchestration description: Use when user has complex multi-agent workflows, needs to coordinate sequential or parallel agent execution, wants workflow visualization and control, or mentions automating repetitive multi-agent processes - guides discovery and usage of the orchestration system

Using the Orchestration System

When to Suggest

Proactively suggest /orchestrate when user describes:

Clear Triggers:

• Multiple agents needed in sequence: "explore then review then implement"
• Parallel operations: "run tests and lint at the same time"
• Conditional workflows: "if tests pass, deploy; if failed, fix and retry"
• Retry logic: "keep trying until it works"
• Workflow automation: "I do this same process often"
• Multiple checkpoints: "I want to review before deploying"

Specific Phrases:

• "coordinate multiple agents"
• "workflow", "pipeline", "orchestrate"
• "run these in parallel"
• "if X then Y"
• "retry until success"
• "automate this process"

How to Introduce

When triggers detected, suggest proactively:

This workflow would benefit from orchestration. I can use `/orchestrate` to:
- Visualize the workflow graph
- Execute agents in parallel where possible
- Handle retries and conditionals
- Provide interactive control at checkpoints

Would you like me to use `/orchestrate [workflow-syntax]` or create a reusable template?

First-time setup reminder:

If user mentions custom agents (like expert-code-implementer, code-optimizer, etc.) that aren't in the orchestration namespace:

I notice you have custom agents in your environment.
Would you like to import them to orchestration first?

Run: /orchestration:init

This will make your custom agents available in workflows as:
- orchestration:expert-code-implementer
- orchestration:code-optimizer
- etc.

Quick Syntax Reference

Show relevant syntax based on user's needs:

Sequential: explore:"task" -> review -> implement Parallel: [test || lint || security] Conditional: test (if passed)~> deploy Retry: @try -> fix -> test (if failed)~> @try

When NOT to Suggest

• Single agent task (no coordination needed)
• Simple sequential tasks (<3 steps, no conditionals)
• User explicitly requests manual coordination
• Task already in progress without orchestration

Integration Pattern

When user agrees to orchestration:

1. Parse their requirements into workflow syntax
2. Invoke /orchestrate [workflow-syntax]
3. Let the orchestration system handle execution
4. Don't manually coordinate agents - let orchestrator do it